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Revision as of 03:25, 15 November 2003 by Dysprosia (talk | contribs) (some random corrections)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)A dot-matrix printer or character matrix printer is type of computer printer with a print-head that runs back and forth on the page.
Most often it is an impact printer. Generally the print-head prints one line of text. It has a single vertical line of dot-making equipment on its print-head, often embossing a print ribbon, like a typewriter.
Certain models produce double-wide or bold characters by printing each vertical slice of a character twice. It produces higher resolutions by printing more slowly. It produces graphics by printing dots, one horizontal character-high stripe at a time.
They are inexpensive, and until the 1990s the most common form of printer used with PCs. They remain in use in devices such as cash registers and ATM printouts: almost all small receipts are printed on this type of printer.